The second annual Pink Rose Ball was held at the Abaco Beach Resort on October 25. The Ball is a breast cancer prevention and awareness fund raiser that features a delicious meal, fashion, testimonials, dancing and a few surprises. Last year the Pink Rose Ball raised ten thousand dollars which it donated to the Abaco Cancer Society. This year the attendance was nearly double so the Committee is confident that they will have raised a significant sum.

Pink Rose Ball a Fun, Poignant Breast Cancer Fund Raiser

The second annual Pink Rose Ball was held at the Abaco Beach Resort on October 25. The Ball is a breast cancer prevention and awareness fund raiser that features a delicious meal, fashion, testimonials, dancing and a few surprises. Last year the Pink Rose Ball raised ten thousand dollars which it donated to the Abaco Cancer Society. This year the attendance was nearly double so the Committee is confident that they will have raised a significant sum.

The evening began with a cocktail hour. Guests arrived on the pink carpet and had their photos taken by nationally noted photographer, Zyandric Jones. Silent auction items were on display as guests sipped on wine and socialized. Musician, Rashad Reckley, added to the ambiance with his saxophone performance. It was a glamorous start to the evening.

The Mistress of Ceremony, Shelley Austin, began ushering in the tables and ticket holders around 7pm. Guests were gracefully escorted to their tables and the room slowly filled up with men and women dressed in their sharpest outfits, each sporting the colour pink in some way.

Dinner was a delicious buffet. The meal was filling, giving guests the energy for the night’s excitement ahead.

Phyllis Garraway was the guest speaker. She spoke about prevention, health and the strength and courage reflected by those who have struggled with cancer and those who have beaten it.

After her remarks, Mrs. Garraway segued into the fashion show. Several beautiful models strutted their stuff on the catwalk in the middle of

the room. They were displaying fashions designed by Stephanie Treco. Each new outfit modelled brought another round of applause.

Following the fashion show, a video presentation was made to the audience. Survivors of breast cancer shared their stories on the projection screen. The last video, however, was of a local woman who lost her battle with breast cancer. That video was made last year. It was a poignant note that stressed how devastating the disease is. And why community support is so important.

It was during this time also that many in the audience were welcomed to come light the pink ribbon candle. Each tea light represented a loved one who lost their fight with cancer.

A surprise was in store for the Pink Rose Ball guests. Several sponsors had been given bras a few weeks before the event with the purpose of decorating them to be judged. What many did not realize is that these bras needed to be modelled. Several men were pulled from the audience, some going more willing than others, to snap on the lingerie and take their turns on the catwalk.

Above: several men were pulled from the audience to model decorated bras in what was the highlight of the night for many in attendance. All cash collected during the activity went to the Pink Rose Ball Committee. See page 2 for details.

Between the laughter, applause and camera flashes many women made it to the edge of the stage to stuff dollar bills down the bras of the men doing their best Chippendales-Meets-Showgirls routine. All cash was collected and given to the Committee.

At the end of the spectacle the bra that wowed the judges most was the one supplied and decorated by (none other than) The Abaconian and modelled by Evan Roark.

Dancing closed the evening off. Band, Suppa Time, performed for those who were wearing their boogie shoes.

Also happening that evening was a special tribute by Pinder’s Plumbing to the Cancer Society. The popular game of “Head or Tails” was also played, which pits two sides of the room against each other until there is only one winner.